CN101606221A - Ion transfer arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A kind of mass spectrometric higher and than the area of low pressure between the method for transport gas and attached ion, be included in higher and than transference tube road 60 is provided between the area of low pressure.Transference tube road 60 comprises the electrode assemblie 300 that limits the ion migrating channels.Electrode assemblie 300 has first group of annular electrode 305 of first width D 1 and second width D 2 (〉=second group of annular electrode D1) replacing with first annular electrode 305.Size V ₁Be provided for first annular electrode 205 with the direct voltage of first polarity, and big or small V ₂(can be less than or equal to big or small V ₁) but the direct voltage with opposite polarity is applied to second annular electrode 310.The pressure in transference tube road 60 is controlled to be convenient to keep the interior gas of ion migrating channels and the VISCOUS FLOW of ion.

Description

Ion transfer arrangement

Invention field

The present invention relates to be used for the ion transfer arrangement of transmission ion in mass spectrometer, relate in particular to the ion transfer arrangement that is used for ion is transferred to from atmospheric pressure ionization source the high vacuum of mass spectrometer vacuum chamber.

Background of invention

Transference tube is also referred to as capillary, knownly in the mass spectrometer field is used for maintaining or near atmospheric ionization chamber and maintain between second Room that reduces pressure and transmit ion.Generally speaking, the ion migrating channels adopts the form of elongated narrow pipe (capillary) usually, and it has arrival end that ionization chamber is opened and the port of export that second Room is opened.Ion and charged and uncharged particle (for example, from the part desolvation drop of electrostatic spray or APCI probe or from ion and the neutron and the matrix/matrix in laser desorb or MALDI source) and background gas enter ion together and move arrival end capillaceous and cross its length under the influence of barometric gradient.Ion flow/air-flow withdraws from transference tube as free jet expansion (free jetexpansion) then.Ion can pass the aperture of skimming tool awl (skimmer cone) and after this be delivered to mass analyzer by the zone of continuous low pressure subsequently and obtain mass spectrum.

In existing ion transfer arrangement, have remarkable loss, thereby so that the great majority that produce those ions by ion source can't successfully arrive and pass the follow-up phase that ion transfer arrangement enters mass-spectrometer measurement.

Taked several different methods to solve this problem.For example, transference tube can be heated with evaporation of residual solvent (thereby improving ion output) and isolate the dissolved adduct.The adverse current that has proposed the gas that heated increased desolvation before entering migrating channels in spraying.The various technology that realized being used for the aligning of sample spraying, capillary and skimming tool and location manage to maximize the amount of ions from the source of the mass spectrometric ion optics in actual arrival ion migrating channels downstream.

Observe (referring to, people such as Sunner for example, American society's magazine, Mass Spectrometry (mass spectrometer), the 5th volume, the 10th phase, 873-885 page or leaf (in October, 1994)) enter a big chunk of ion of transference tube because of colliding loss with tube wall.This has reduced the number of ions that is delivered to mass analyzer and instrumental sensitivity has been had a negative impact.In addition, for the pipe that is made of dielectric substance, the collision of ion and tube wall can cause electric charge to gather and suppress ion this pipe that enters and flow through.Prior art comprises the interaction that it is said by reducing ion and tube wall or designs by reducing a plurality of transference tubes that charge effects reduces ion loss.For example, the United States Patent (USP) of Franzen proposes for 5,736, No. 740 to come with respect to the air-flow decelerate ions by using the axial DC field.According to this list of references, the parabolic velocity curve of air-flow (with respect to ion) produces the aerodynamic force of ion focusing to the tube hub line.

Other prior art list of references (for example, No. 6,486,469, the United States Patent (USP) of Fischer) relates to the conductive material layer that for example is used for being connected to by use the electric charge groove and applies the technology that the inlet region minimizes the charging of dielectric tube.

Another kind method is to make ion from atmosphere towards central shaft " funneling compiling ".The notion that is used for the ion funnel of working after ion migration capillary under vacuum condition is at first set forth at US6107628, and is rolled up at the magazine Mass Spectrom of American society 200, the 11 by people such as Belov then, describes in detail in the 19-23 page or leaf.Nearest ion funnel is compiled technology description in following patent: people such as Tang, that be entitled as " Independent Control of Ion transmission in a jet disrupter Dual-Channelion funnel electrospray ionization MS interface " (independent control that the ion in spraying interrupter binary channels ion funnel electrostatic spray ionization MS interface transmits), analytical chemistry 2002, the 74th volume, the U.S. Patent number 6 of 5431-5437 page or leaf, 107,628, it illustrates two funnels and arranges; People such as Page " An electrodynamic ion funnel interface for greater sensitivity and higherthroughput with linear ion trap mass spectrometers " (using the electrodynamics ion funnel interface that is used for bigger sensitivity and higher yield of linear ion trap mass spectrometer), international magazine MassSpectrometry 265 (2007) 244-250 pages or leaves, its description are applicable to the ion funnel of using in linear trap quadrupole rod (LTQ) device.Unfortunately, effective work of ion funnel only extends to the air pressure of about 40mbar, and promptly atmospheric 4%.

Have the infundibulate equipment of atmospheric opening people such as Kremer, open among physical magazine: " the A novel method for the collimation of ions atatmospheric pressure " in Applied Physics the 39th volume (2006) 5008-5015 page or leaf (a kind of novel method that is used at the ion collimation of atmospheric pressure), it adopts the passive ion lens of float element to come focused ion (collimating them) statically.Yet this does not solve the problem of focused ion in the pressure area between atmosphere and forevacuum.

Another alternative is set forth in No. 6,943,347, people's such as Willoughby United States Patent (USP), and it provides the tubular construction of the stratification with the conductive electrode layer that axially replaces.Accelerating potential is applied in conductive electrode and penetrates to minimize the field that enters the inlet region, and a delay dispersion more can overcome because of reducing the dispersion effect that electric field produces up to viscous force.Though may help to reduce ion loss, ion needs the constantly axial field of increase to the actual focusing of central shaft, and this under low pressure becomes technical impossible because puncture.

Another prior art list of references (for example, No. 6,486,469, the United States Patent (USP) of Fischer) relates to and being used for for example by applying the technology that the inlet region minimizes the charging of dielectric tube with the conductive material layer that is connected to the electric charge groove.

Though some can partly successfully be used to certain in the above method to reduce ion loss and/or be alleviated the adverse effect that the collision because of ion and tube wall causes, but being far from, focusing force is enough to keep ion, especially under the situation in the ion beam than large space electric charge and bigger length of tube away from wall.Back one requires because of needing desolvation by bunch occurring that electrostatic spray or APCI ion source form.In alternative, pipe can must be arranged on the front in this aperture by the replacement of simple aperture and the district of desolvating then.Yet, gas velocity inboard much lower than at pipe in this zone, and therefore space charge effect produces higher loss.Therefore, still there are needs in the art to the further reduction that realizes ion loss and the transference tube design that can on wider experiment condition and specimen types, work.

Summary of the invention

Under this background, and according to a first aspect of the invention, provide

A kind of ion transfer arrangement, it is used for transmitting ion between relatively high pressure zone and relatively low pressure zone, comprising:

The transference tube road, it has towards the inlet opening of relatively high pressure chamber, towards the exit opening of relatively low pressure chamber and at least one sidewall that centers on the ion migrating channels, and this sidewall is along the extension of central axis between the arrival end and the port of export; And

A plurality of apertures, these apertures along vertical formation of sidewall so that allow from the gas in the ion migrating channels flow to pipeline the sidewall outside than the area of low pressure.

According to a second aspect of the invention, provide a kind of method of transmitting ion first, between the relatively high pressure zone and second, relatively low pressure zone, this method may further comprise the steps:

Permission enters the inlet opening that has or limit the transference tube road of ion migrating channels from the ion in relatively high pressure zone and the mixture of gas;

By a plurality of passageways of the duct wall in the middle of inlet opening that is arranged in the transference tube road and exit opening, remove the part of the gas in the ion migrating channels; And

Make ion and residual gas withdraw from the transference tube road by exit opening towards the relatively low pressure zone.

In a kind of simple form, be used for mass spectrometric interface according to various embodiments of the present invention and comprise having towards the arrival end opening in hyperbaric chamber and towards the transference tube of the port of export opening of low-pressure chamber.High and low-pressure chamber can be by relative higherly provide with any zone lower pressure relative to each other is provided.For example, the hyperbaric chamber can be a source housing and low-pressure chamber can be first vacuum chamber.Transference tube has around interior zone and along at least one sidewall of the extension of central axis between the arrival end and the port of export.Transference tube has a plurality of passageways that are formed in the sidewall.The passageway allows the regional internally step-down zone that flows in the sidewall outside of gas.

In another simple form, various embodiments of the present invention comprise transference tube, and this transference tube is used for receiving from the ion in the source of high-pressure area and with it and is transferred to ion optics in mass spectrometric step-down zone.This transference tube comprises arrival end, the port of export and around interior zone and along at least one sidewall of the extension of central axis between the arrival end and the port of export.Transference tube also can comprise the integration vacuum chamber pipe that centers on and be connected to transference tube to small part.This is integrated vacuum chamber pipe and isolate the volume that directly centers at least a portion of transference tube under the pressure with respect to the reduction of interior zone.Sidewall has the structure that at least one passageway that is formed in the sidewall is provided.At least one passageway allows the regional internally volume that flows in the sidewall outside of gas.This structure and passageway are in the inboard of integrating the vacuum chamber pipe.The structure of this sidewall can comprise a plurality of passageways.

In another simple form, various embodiments of the present invention comprise a kind of method that ion is transferred to first vacuum chamber from the ion source zone.This method comprises that permission enters the arrival end of transference tube from the mixture of the ion in ion source zone and gas.This method also comprises a part of removing gas by a plurality of passages of the centre of the arrival end that is positioned at transference tube and the port of export.This method comprises that also making ion and residual gas withdraw from transference tube by the port of export enters into first vacuum chamber.This method also can comprise the minimizing by at least one latent heat that causes in the removal of the part of background gas and the evaporation that is associated in the sensing transference tube, and is applied to the heat of transference tube under the control of software or firmware by the heater increase.

Various embodiments of the present invention have the advantage of the gas flow that reduces the port of export that passes through transference tube.Some advantages that are associated have also been supposed.For example, the port of export that passes through transference tube of minimizing the mobile gas that reduced the carrying ion is used for the energy that expands when it leaves transference tube.Thereby ion has bigger chance and comes the aperture of the skimming tool by direct downstream to advance on the straight line.In addition, the minimizing of flowing at least a portion of transference tube can have the effect of the laminar flow amount of increase in this part of transference tube.Laminar flow is more stable so that ion can keep focus on and the relative small-bore by skimming tool on the passageway with straightaway.Along with the sidewall of gas by transference tube is drawn out of, the pressure in the transference tube is lowered.The pressure that reduces can cause the desolvation that increases.In addition, latent heat is removed when gas is extracted out by sidewall.Therefore, more heat can be by migration by transference tube, and enters remaining sample in the interior zone, thereby causes the number of the increase of the desolvation that increases and the actual ion that arrives ion optics.

Further characteristics of the present invention and advantage will become apparent from appended claims and following description.

The accompanying drawing summary

Fig. 1 illustrates the sectional view according to the ion transfer arrangement of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates the example of the ion entrance area of the ion transfer arrangement that is used for Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates the ion entrance area with the Fig. 2 that optimizes flow air dynamics lens;

Fig. 4 a, 4b and 4c illustrate the example of envelope of setting embodiment of the ion entrance area of Fig. 2 and 3 together.

Fig. 5 illustrates in greater detail the ion entrance area with the shape shown in Fig. 4 b;

Fig. 6 illustrates first embodiment of alternating voltage pipeline of the part of the ion transfer arrangement that forms Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 illustrates second embodiment of alternating voltage pipeline,

The vertical view that the replacement of Fig. 8 depiction 7 and 8 alternating voltage pipeline realizes;

Fig. 9 a, 9b, 9c and 9d illustrate each alternative embodiment according to ion transfer arrangement of the present invention; And

Figure 10 illustrates the exemplary ion track by ion transfer arrangement.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment

Fig. 1 illustrates the ion transfer arrangement that adopts each side of the present invention, and it is used for transmitting ion between atmospheric pressure ionizationion (for example, electrostatic spray) and one or more stages that mass-spectrometer measurement the arranged high vacuum at wherein follow-up vacuum chamber.In Fig. 1, be arranged in atmospheric pressure such as (but being not limited to) electrostatic spray source, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) source plasma source 10.This produces ion with known manner, and ion enters ion transfer arrangement (generally in the indication of Reference numeral 20 places) via entrance hole diameter 30.Ion is then by the first pump transmission chamber 40 (after this being called expanding chamber 40) and continue to enter second vacuum chamber 50 that comprises ion pipeline 60.Ion withdraws from pipeline 60 and the outlet aperture 70 by ion transfer arrangement, and they enter the phase I (hereinafter referred to as MS1) 80 of (via a series of ion lens-not shown) mass spectral analysis in this position.Easily understand as technical staff institute, MS1 will connect the follow-up phase (MS2, MS3...) of mass spectral analysis after common, but these stages do not form a part of the present invention and therefore for clarity sake not shown in Figure 1.

The more detailed description of the configuration of each assembly in the ion transfer arrangement 20 of Fig. 1 below will be provided.Yet,, at first will be provided at the general discussion of the ion transfer mode in the different pressures zone between atmosphere and the forevacuum (such as under about 1-10mbar) in order to understand this configuration better.

Ion transfer in the ion transfer device 20 of Fig. 1 be different on characteristic on every side the different pressures zone.Though in fact surely not any some moment change between ion source and MS180 of pressure, five different pressure spans of definable, and different ion transfer characteristics is arranged in each zone.These five zones are labeled in Fig. 1 and are as follows:

Zone 1.This be pressure under about 1-10mbar, the zone that enters the ion optics place of MS1.This zone is not by involved in the present invention.

Zone 5.This is atmospheric pressure region and mainly is subjected to kinetic current and electrostatic spray or other atmospheric pressure ion source domination itself.As zone 1, it is not that the present invention is directly related.

Remaining zone 2,3 and 4.

Zone 4: this is near the ingate 30 of arriving ion transfer device 20.

Zone 2: this is the zone at pipeline 60 places, and its outlet aperture 70 with ion transfer device 20 is contiguous to MS1.At last,

Zone 3: this is ingate 30 (zone 4) and the zone between aforesaid regional 2 at ion transfer device 20.

To the measurement indication of the ionic current that enters the ion transfer device capillaceous (30 places) that can buy on the typical market in the ingate it at I ₀In the scope of ≈ 2.5nA.Therefore, known introducing air flow value Q=8atmcm ³The internal diameter of/S and pipeline is 0.5mm, then the scope of initial charge density ₀Can be estimated as 0.3-1*10 ^-9C/cm ³=(0.3...1) * 10 ^-3C/m ³The time of staying of known ion in insides of pipes, t=0.113m/50m/s ≈ 2*10 ^-3S, and the average ion mobility value K=10 under the atmospheric pressure ^-4m ²/ s, then transmission efficiency can be determined from following formula because of the restriction of space charge repulsion:

${\left[\frac{\mathrm{\ρ}}{{\mathrm{\ρ}}_0}\right]}_{\mathrm{sc}}=\frac{1}{1+\frac{{\mathrm{\ρ}}_0\mathrm{Kt}}{{\mathrm{\ϵ}}_0}}=\frac{1}{1+\frac{{\mathrm{\ρ}}_0\·{10}^{-4}\·2\·{10}^{-3}}{8.85\·{10}^{-12}}}\≈0.13$

Thereby, preferably optimize the ducted ionic mobility and the ion time of staying for improving ionic current (this is the purpose of each side of the present invention).

The major part of the ion loss in atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source takes place in the ionization chamber of 30 fronts, ingate of interface.The ratio of this ion loss is determined by ion/drop that the Taylor from the API source bores ingate 30 drift time.Near ingate 30 Velocity Profiles is

Wherein d is the diameter of pipeline, and R be from this to the ingate 30 distance, C is that constant and Δ P are pressure drops.Ion velocity is V _Ion=V _Gas+ KE, wherein K is that ionic mobility and E are electric field strength.Suppose K～10 ^-4m ²/ s and E～510 ⁵V/m then by the speed that electric field causes is～50m/s.Air velocity in 0.5mm ID insides of pipes is same value approximately, but distance ingate 30 apart from the 5mm place, slow 10 times approximately in the ion of advancing with gas than its drift in electric field.Therefore, the ion time of staying in this zone is 10 ^-4In the scope of s, this causes about 50% ion loss because of the space charge repulsion according to above equation (2).

In other words, the analysis of ion transfer arrangement considers that proposing space charge repulsion is main ion loss mechanism.The major parameter of determining the ion transmission efficiency is at ducted ion time of staying t and ionic mobility K.Thereby a kind of mode of improving ion transmission efficiency is to reduce t.Yet, there are a series of restrictions to the unlimited increase of t:

1. evaporate the required time of drop;

2. layer air-flow converts the critical speed of disorderly air-flow to; And

3. the appearance of shock wave when air-flow accelerates to the velocity of sound.This is especially in big pressure drop be exposed at 1 o'clock from zone 5 situation of (about 1000 to 1mbar).

Turn back to accompanying drawing 1 now, will describe the preferred embodiment of ion transfer device in more detail now.Feature that is adopted and configuration manage to solve the restriction to above-mentioned ion transmission efficiency.

At first the zone of Kao Lving is zone 4 and 3, and they limit the near zone of entrance hole diameter 30 and expanding chamber 40 respectively.

In order to solve the ion loss of 30 fronts in the ingate, it is desirable increasing the introducing air-flow that enters ingate 30.This be with above analysis corresponding to-to given ionic current, allow to catch more substantial gas in higher airflow rate to the porch of ion transfer device, and supposition gas is filled into saturatedly by ion, more polyion is then arranged.The time of staying in the reduction zone 3 and 4 reaches high with ion flow but non-ultrasonic velocity is a condition.

Thereby, by optimize or comprise API source 10 with to the assembly between the inlet of pipeline 60, improvement is possible in zone 4 and 3.The zone 4 and 3 of interface provides the aerodynamic force of ion to focus on ideally between zone 5 in atmosphere and the zone 2, and these ions heavily surpass 4-10 doubly than the nitrogen molecular that is used for most interested analytes usually.

First purpose is to avoid the hypersonic flow pattern of zone between 5 and 2, because this can cause the ion loss that can not expect.This purpose can realize by the buccal funnel 48 of going into that use is arranged in expanding chamber 40.This funnel 48 is shown the series of parallel plate with different center bores in Fig. 1; Purposes contact Fig. 2-4 of this device (and some alternative) sets forth hereinafter.Ideally, funnel 48 is short (in fact, for the sectioning shown in Fig. 1,3mm is short as much as possible approximately), and long less than 1cm ideally.

Barrier film, extraction or the vortex pump (not shown) of the pumping mouth 45 of expanding chamber 40 by being connected to expanding chamber preferably by pumping to about 300-600mbar.By suitable setting ion funnel 48, their expansion when ion enters expanding chamber 40 can be arranged to be convenient to control or avoid shock wave to form fully.

As by as shown in people's such as Sunner the above-mentioned document, even when hanging down the spraying electric current, atmosphere potential source (for example, electrostatic spray or API) is the space charge restriction.The inventor is determined by experiment, even apply the highest electric field, does not carry above 0.1-0.5*10-9 coulomb (atm.cm3) in API source yet ability.Even in order to catch the major part of this electric current for nanometer spraying source, this also requires entrance hole diameter 30 to have the diameter of 0.6-0.7mm at least, and be subsequently force speed and focusing electric field (though total be necessary with pressure drop remain under the generation of electric field breakdown).

Fig. 2 realizes that this forces the indicative icon of the simple mechanism of speed and focusing electric field.At this, in expanding chamber 40 but be adjacent to the inlet of pipeline 60, entrance hole diameter 30 be maintained at the first direct voltage V1 simultaneously plate electrode 90 be maintained at voltage V2.After applying voltage, ingate 30 and plate electrode 90 constitute simple ion funnel 48 together.Plate electrode among Fig. 2 has usually with the similar diameter of the internal diameter of pipeline 60 and with it to be aimed at, but still play with the ion funnel formula converge to the center bore of the effect of pipeline 60.Electric field between aperture 30 and dull and stereotyped 90 makes charged particle quicken effectively, and pulls charged particle into pipeline at the fringing field of opening part, advances because these often are parallel to electric field line, even also be like this in viscous flow.This is normally preferred to the auxiliary acceleration of the electricity in the conduit region.

As the development to the simple mechanism of Fig. 2, ingate 30 and the space in the expanding chamber 40 between the plate electrode under the voltage V2 under voltage V1 can comprise other ion lens or air force lens or their both combinations.Schematically illustrated this structure of Fig. 3: the array of plate electrode 100 is installed between ingate 30 and the plane electrode 90 to constitute ion funnel 48.But each of electrode of forming plate electrode array 100 have usually with those apertures of ingate 30 and plate electrode 90 coaxial each be center bore of different diameter.

Various shape can be described by plate electrode array 100: in the simplest situation, be only flared (linear taper) towards the funnel of pipeline.This is schematically illustrated in Fig. 4 a, " Incorporation of a Flared Inlet Capillary tube on a FourierTransform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer " (on Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonant mode spectrometer in conjunction with flared inlet capillary) and people's such as Wu described in the magazine MassSpectrom.2006 of American society the 17th volume, the 772-779 page or leaf in more detail.Replace shape equally highly schematically shown in Fig. 4 b and the 4c, and be respectively nozzle (venturi (Venturi) equipment-referring to people such as Zhou (Zhou, L.; Yue, B; Dearden, D.; Lee, E.; Rockwood, A.﹠amp; Lee, M.Incorporation of a Venturi Device in Electrospray Ionization (in the electrostatic spray ionization in conjunction with Venturi equipment), analytical chemistry, 2003,75,5978-5983) and loudspeaker or index shape inlet.

Thereby the effect of the device of Fig. 2 to 4 (and the device shown in the expanding chamber 40 of Fig. 1) is to have created the segmentation funnel inlet of pipeline 60.In each case, but entrance hole diameter 30 can be less than the diameter of focus channel enough greatly to allow mass air flow.To the purpose of ion funnel setting be with the volume between the inlet of hopper outlet and pipeline 60 convert to equipment in the mass spectrometer relevant of jet separator-still be widely used in gas chromatographic analysis-simulation.Because the molecule of the molecular proportion carrier gas (normally nitrogen) of analyte wants recuperation many, so their dispersing after expanding are also much smaller than carrier gas, air force focusing takes place promptly.This effect can further promote by forming carrier gas from helium at least in part, especially under the enough low situation about limiting with the low glow discharge of dealing with inert gas of required voltage.As a result, ion is maintained near the axle, and can be moved to the core of focus channel, though channel diameter big a lot of unlike funnel, for example, 0.8-1.2mm ID.Even this diameter is greater than tradition diameter capillaceous, but the little 2-3 of starting pressure doubly, so that it still may adopt vacuum pump with the end of the funnel of the similar pumping capacity of for example 28-40m3/h of those current uses.Simultaneously, the active of the ion of funnel 48 inboards focuses on and allows the follow-up length of pipeline 60 to increase under loss-free situation.This improve again any residue drop and bunch desolvation.As a result, the sample flow velocity can be extended to higher scope, far surpasses nanometer spraying flow velocity.

Only be that very simple some embodiment of example in following contact Fig. 9 a-d that the jet of an example of air force lens separates discusses.

As to the further additional of the device of the zone 4 of preferred embodiment and 3 or replace, ion funnel 48 can comprise the auxiliary pumping in boundary layer at one or more somes place of passage inboard, can be limited or the like along the pressure drop of passage.In order to keep highfield along this funnel 48, these pumping grooves can be used as the gap between the thin plate under the different electromotive forces.

Refer again to Fig. 1, now with the configuration in more detailed description zone 2 (that is, expanding chamber 40 and the zone between the outlet opening 70 of MS180).

The pipeline 60 that is arranged in vacuum chamber 50 and limits the zone 2 of ion transfer arrangement is formed by three independent assemblies: heater 110, one group of DC electrode 120 and generally illustrate at 130 places and differential pumping device in greater detail hereinafter.Each that should be understood that these assemblies has their independent function and advantage, but they have mutual synergy advantage in addition when being adopted together.In other words, use any one or two improvement that cause the clean ion flow that enters MS1 in these three assemblies simultaneously, all these threes' combination often provides maximum improvement therein.

Heater 110 forms the parameatal resistive winding that limits in one group of DC electrode of being extended by the longitudinal axis along pipeline 60 in a known way.Winding can contact with passage 115 direct heat, perhaps replacedly separates with it, so that when electric current was flowed through heater 110 windings, it caused the radiation heating or the Convective Heating of the air-flow in the passage.In fact, in another alternative, the heater winding can be formed in the differential pumping device 130 or go up so that to interior gas-flow radiation heat in passage 115.In another replacement, heater can even constitute (as long as resistance can be mated)-further vide infra about this point by DC electrode 120.Other alternative will be conspicuous to the technology reader.

Add thermion migrating channels 115 its temperature of air-flow of flowing through that raises, thereby promote the decomposition of the evaporation of residual solvent and lyate ion bunch and increase the number of the analyte ions that is delivered to MS180.

Fig. 5 will be depicted in figure 4 the embodiment of shape be shown the entrance area of the pumping pipeline that piles up plate electrode, and have device 48 and be used to improve pumping.To understand, shown in plate electrode can be at direct current, alternately work on direct current or the RF, and the pumping of inlet opening and suitably shape all improve transmission in all cases.

Each embodiment of one group of DC electrode 120 will be described now.These can and be seen in the longitudinal cross-section of Fig. 1 with the form of schematic diagram again, but illustrate in greater detail alternative embodiment in Fig. 6 and 7.In each case, identical Reference numeral is indicated identical parts.

With reference to figure 1 and 6, the purpose of DC electrode 120 is to reduce the reciprocation of ion and the wall of the passages 115 that limited by DC electrode 120 itself.This is tending towards ion is realized away from the inner surface of conduit wall and towards the space-alternating asymmetric electric field that channel centerline focuses on by generation.Fig. 1 and 6 shows with longitudinal cross-section and can how to use one group of DC electrode 120 to construct the example of particle migrating channels 115 so that this electric field to be provided.Ion migrating channels 115 (is called " low field intensity electrode " or LFE) (owing to will become obviously, is called " high field intensity electrode " or HFE) limits at this for more than first electrode 205 of relation alternately at this by being arranged in more than second electrode 210.Each HFE 205 and LFE 210 have annular, and the inner surface of HFE 205 and LFE 210 defines the inner surface of ion migrating channels wall jointly.Adjacent electrode by mode discussed below by gap or insulating barrier electrically insulated from one another so that apply different voltage.In a specific implementation, electric insulation can by a plurality of electrodes (for example, on the outer surface one of LEF) or near formation insulation (for example, aluminium oxide) layer realize.As shown in Figure 6, HFE 205 and LFE210 can be by outer tubular structure 215 around to provide structural intergrity, air-tightness and auxiliary assembling.Yet in the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1, the outer tubular structure can be omitted or utilize hole or hole to adjust so that can be along its interior zone of length pumping (via the gap between the adjacent electrode) of ion migrating channels-following with the process that further describes.

To understand, though Fig. 1 and 6 for clarity sake describes relatively small number purpose electrode, the typical case of ion migrating channels 115 realizes will comprising tens of or hundreds of electrodes.Notice that further though Fig. 1 and 6 illustrates the electrode that extends along the total length of ion migrating channels 115 substantially, other realization can have the one or more parts that do not have the ion of electrode migrating channels length fully.

Electrode is arranged with cycle H (interval between LFE or the HFE continuously).The width of HFE 205 (longitudinal extent) is much smaller than the width of corresponding LFE 210, and HFE constitutes about 20-25% of cycle H usually.The HFE width can be expressed as H/p, and wherein p can be usually in the scope of 3-4.Selection cycle H so that the ion that passes ion migrating channels 115 with the asymmetric ionic mobility spectrometry of conventional High-Field (FAIMS) equipment in the approximate frequency of the frequency of radio frequency restricted area under experience height and low field intensity alternately.For example, suppose the mean air flow speed of 500 meter per seconds, 500 microns cycle H produces the frequency of 1 megahertz.Cycle H can remain unchanged along the total length of pipe, perhaps replacedly is adjusted (in the mode of continuous or stepping) to reflect the variation in the speed that is caused by barometric gradient along passage length.The internal diameter of ion migrating channels 115 (ID) (inner surface by LFE 205 and HFE 210 limits) will preferably have the value greater than cycle H.

One or more direct voltage sources (not describing) are connected to electrode with the first voltage V ₁Be applied to HFE205 and with the second voltage V ₂Be applied to LFE 210.V ₂Have and V ₁Opposite polarity and much smaller than V ₁Size.Preferably, ratio V ₁/ V ₂Equal-p, wherein p (as shown above) is mark reciprocal of the interval H that occupied by the LFE width and usually in the scope of 3-4, so that electric field space/time integral that ion experienced in the whole cycle equals zero.V ₁And V ₂Size should be enough greatly realizing the required focusing effect of following detailed description, but can not be greatly to cause between the adjacent electrode or electrode and neighbouring surface between discharge.Believe that 50 to 500V big young pathbreaker satisfies aforesaid standards.

The direct voltage that applies regulation to HFE 205 and LFE 210 generates the space-alternating pattern in high and low field intensity zone in ion migrating channels 115 inside, prolong with respective electrode is roughly longitudinally same in each zone.In each zone, field intensity is zero or near zero and increase with the radial distance at distance center in the stream centerline, so that the attraction that the ion experience increases near the inner surface of transference tube along with ion in size or repel radial load.The high/low field intensity mode producing that should replace is in the conceptive and similar ion behavior of behavior that take place in the asymmetric ionic mobility spectrometry of conventional High-Field (FAIMS) equipment, asymmetric waveform is applied to a right electrode of the opposite electrode in limiting analysis device zone (for example referring to people's such as Guevremont United States Patent (USP) 7 in this routine FAIMS equipment, 084, No. 394).

Fig. 6 is illustrated in the track of the cation of locating away from the stream center line under the influence that replaces asymmetric electric field.Ion in the high field intensity zone away from the inner surface of ion migrating channels, and (it is electronegative (once more that this hypothesis HFE 205 has the positive voltage that is applied on it and LFE 210 to shift to inner surface in the low field intensity zone, note polarity should be with reference to the warp in the moving path of longshore current level and smooth (promptly, average on space periodic) Potential Distributing distributes, as previously discussed), thus produce the zigzag path.

As described in detail in the FAIMS field, clean the moving of the ion in standing to replace high/low viscous flow zone will be depended on the variation of ionic mobility with field intensity.For A type ion, its ionic mobility increases with the field intensity that increases, and the radial distance of passing through in the high field intensity part of circulation will be above the radial distance of passing through during the low field intensity part.For describing in Fig. 6 and example described above, A type ion will show towards the moving radially only of stream center line, thereby prevent and the collision of ion migrating channels 115 inner surfaces and thereby the neutralization that produces.Along with the approaching stream of ion center line, field intensity significantly reduces, and ion stops to experience the strong radial load that produces from electrode.On the contrary, for C type ion (ionic mobility reduces with the field intensity that increases), the radial distance that ion is passed through in the low field intensity zone will be above the distance of being passed through in the high field intensity zone, thus if V ₁With the polarity of ion is that identical then producing towards the clean of ion migrating channels 115 inner surfaces moved.This behavior can be used to distinguish between A and C type ion, because C type ion will preferentially be damaged by the collision with conduit wall, and A type ion will focus on the stream center line.If the prioritised transmission of C type ion is expected, then commutative V ₁And V ₂Polarity.

The ion of the track above-mentioned technology that DC electric field alternately is provided makes to(for) aerodynamic force therein becomes from pure longitudinal path deflection or mean free path, and focused ion may be unsuitable in the zone of long enough (that is, wherein no longer arranging ion motion with the collision of gas atom or molecule).For example, in ion migrating channels 115 owing under atmospheric pressure API source and high vacuum (gas that the pressure differential between＜1mbar) the MS180 causes expands and quickens and can cause producing one or more shock waves in ion migrating channels inside near its port of export place, thus deflection Ion paths sharp.For the electrode of the distal portions that is arranged on ion migrating channels 115, have necessity and apply RF voltage (with direct voltage or replace direct voltage) and avoid ion-conduit wall reciprocation so that enough focusing to be provided.In this case, anti-phase RF voltage will be applied to adjacent electrode.

The replacement method that suppresses shock wave is a differential ground pumping pipeline 60 (Fig. 1), and this will be in following description.

Fig. 7 describes the ion focusing/guide frame 300 according to second embodiment of the invention, its can be used to ion transfer by mass spectrometer near atmosphere or than the area of low pressure.Under this pressure, ion is gone in the air-flow and therefore to have and the similar speed of the speed of air-flow by " embedding " owing to the high viscosity friction.

Be in a ratio of hour in the mean free path of ion and device size, it has been generally acknowledged that and flow and the molecule flowing opposite is a viscosity.In this case, between the molecule or the collision between molecule and the ion in transport phenomena, play an important role.

For according to of the present invention have several millimeters or to one centimetre representative diameter and several centimetres or decimeter total length and be pressed onto the device of the barometric gradient of about 1hpa pressure from about atmosphere, have the VISCOUS FLOW condition that spreads all over device of the present invention.

In fact, VISCOUS FLOW condition Knudsen number (Knudsen number) K=lambda/D is less than 1, have down to the VISCOUS FLOW of about pressure of 1 to 10pa, this depends on analyte and size (micromolecule for the metabolin in the similar 1mm diameter capillary is 1pa).

Focusing/guide frame 300 constitutes by being placed to more than first annular electrode of alternately arranging with more than second annular electrode (hereinafter referred to as " second electrode ") 310 (hereinafter referred to as " first electrode ") 305.Adjacent electrode is by gap or insulating material or layer electrically insulated from one another.With the embodiment contrast of Fig. 5, first and second electrodes 305 and 310 have basic equal widths.Similar on annular electrode 305 and 310 the configuration surface with the configuration of known RF annular electrode ion guide in the mass spectrometer field.Yet, be not to apply anti-phase RF voltage, but 300 employings of focusing/guide frame are applied to the contrary sign of adjacent click and the direct voltage of equal sizes to adjacent electrode.By suitably selecting electrode cycle D with respect to gas (ion) speed, the ion of inside that traverses guiding/focusing structure is at the electric field of going up the experience alter polarity near the frequency of the conventional RF field magnitude of 1 megahertz (for example).Alternately electric field comprises and focused ion in the mode identical with the RF electric field.To depend on various how much (electrode internal diameter and width) and work (gas pressure) parameter to being applied to first selection of clicking the suitable direct voltage on 305 and second electrode 310; In typical a realization, the direct voltage of 100V to 500V will enough generate required field intensity and not cause electric discharge between electrodes.In addition, Fu Jia RF voltage can apply (thereby focousing field is provided effectively) with these direct voltages under independent frequency.

At this device and in other device of the present invention, running length H is preferably little, and size is 0.1 to 20mm, and about usually 1mm is so that the mean free path of ion is shorter than the relevant size of pipeline usually.

But the device that preferentially transmits A or C type ion with the furnishing of Fig. 6 is opposite, and Fig. 7 will not illustrate remarkable deviation about the differentiated ionic mobility characteristic of ion than simple mechanism, but only improves the transmission of all charged particles.

Similar effects can realize (that is, voltage being set, so that can not create different height and territory, low place) by the device of Fig. 6 being adjusted to the condition that is used to transmit the Type B ion.

In replacing working method, the device of Fig. 7 can directly use alternately high and low field wave shape is come work, thereby generation RF FAIMS equipment, in this RF FAIMS equipment, change the field be converted in time and change with the field in space, this change when the moving coordinate system of charged particle is observed about equally.

The arrangement of first and second electrodes of focusing/guide frame can be modified to realize some purpose.For example, Fig. 8 describes the vertical view of focusing/guide frame 400 of being made up of first electrode 405 and second electrode 410, wherein the adjacent annular electrode laterally mutually skew to limit crooked ion trajectory (describing) by mirage line 415.Alternatively, the axle of this structure can be by crooked gradually.Crooked by in ion trajectory, creating, can realize that certain ion-neutral particle separates (because the differential effect of electric field causes), thereby strengthen the concentrated of the ion/ion stream in the gas.In another variant of focusing/guide frame, first and second electrodes with the internal diameter that reduces size gradually can be used to create the U.S. Patent number 6 with people such as Smith, the ion funnel structure of disclosed similar in 583,408, DC electric field replaces conventional RF field but it adopts alternately.

Turn back to Fig. 1, will describe differential pumping device 130 in more detail now.

As already discussed, enter the particle optics device with before being transferred to mass spectrometric filtering and analysis part at ion, the conventional intake section with atmospheric pressure ionization source suffers the loss of most of ions of producing in the source.Believe that the high gas flow that withdraws from end at ion transfer arrangement is the factor of facilitating for this big figure ion loss.Neutral gas experiences the energy expansion when it leaves transference tube.In this expansion area flow and for transference tube middle and upper reaches distance to flow usually be turbulent in conventional intake section.Thereby, only focus on limited extent in the ion ion intake section in the past by gas delivery.On the contrary, many ions move in the volume of whole flowing gas high energy.Suppose that the ion out-focus arrives desirable degree, and is difficult to make ion to separate with neutral gas because of the melange effect of this high energy and turbulent flow and the gained on ion under these flox condition.Thereby, when neutral gas is detached, be difficult to isolate most ion and they are mobile downstream.On the contrary, many ions are pulled away and loss with neutral gas.On the other hand, the hypothesis that is associated with various embodiments of the present invention is to make that flowing along the more most of of transference tube is that ion can be held and focus on more on the meaning of layering.A kind of method provides required laminar flow removing the neutral gas by the sidewall of transference tube, so that the inflow in axially and be reduced from the outflow of the port of export of transference tube.In addition, by neutral gas being extracted out sidewall to moderate, to the attenuation of the boundary layer of airflow flowing, it is fuller that VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION becomes at the transference tube inner shafts, and flow and become more stable.

A kind of mode that increases ion throughput or efficiency of transmission in the atmospheric pressure ionization interface is by the one or more conductibility that increase in internal diameter that increases transference tube and the length that reduces transference tube.As is generally known, wideer and shorter transference tube has been arranged, the ion optics that polyion more is transferred to the downstream will be possible.Yet the capacity limit diameter of available pump pumping system has much and total conc can have much.Therefore, according to various embodiments of the present invention, the internal diameter of ion migrating channels 115 (Fig. 1) can be done greatly relatively, and simultaneously, the air-flow that leaves the port of export of ion migrating channels 115 can be lowered to improve flow behavior and keep the centre focus of ion towards air-flow.In this way, neutral gas can by more easily with ion isolation, and ion can be led by outlet opening 70 more consistently to enter the MS1 in downstream.The result is the device sensitivity of improved efficiency of transmission and increase.

Even find that in some or all situations turbulent flow causes the ion transmission efficiency that increases, should understand the pressure of the reduction in the downstream of ion migrating channels and the desolvation of the increase that caused by the pressure that reduces can be the incidental advantage of various embodiments of the present invention under laminar flow and turbulent-flow conditions.In addition, even under turbulent-flow conditions, certain some the removal at least of the neutral gas of the sidewall by transference tube can play a part to make effectively ion to separate with neutral gas.Even in turbulent flow, drop and ion with their big quality distribute in axial flow most probable by middle heart during the pipeline 60.Thereby the removal of the neutral gas of expectation by sidewall will make neutral gas with ion isolation and have relative less ion loss under laminar flow and turbulent-flow conditions effectively.Further, remove the desolvation that latent heat allows additional heating to increase by charging under laminar flow and turbulent-flow conditions by the neutral gas of sidewall.

The zone 2 that comprises pipeline 60 is preferentially from pump ports 55 pumpings.As can be from seen in fig. 1, differential pumping device 130 comprises a plurality of passageways 140 that are used in interior zone that comprises passage 115 and the fluid communication between the vacuum chamber that comprises pipeline 60 50 in zone 2.Regional internally 115 pumpings of neutral gas and extract out to enter the vacuum chamber 50 that it is drawn out of therein by the passageway in the differential pumping device 130 140.

Transducer can be connected to the signal that transference tube road 60 and controller 58 be used for indication ion is moved the temperature of the sidewall of pipeline 60 or a certain other parts and beam back controller 58.Should be understood that a plurality of transducers can be placed on diverse location to obtain temperature profile.Thereby one or more transducers can be connected to the minimizing that transference tube road 60 is used for detecting the heat when a plurality of passageway 140 of the sidewall of gas pumping by transference tube road 60.

In alternative, as shown in Fig. 9 a, the 3rd vacuum chamber 150 that pipeline 60 can be closed centers on.This can be used to by 140 draw gas of the passageway in the wall of differential pumping device 130.Yet it can be used to air-flow guiding equally by passageway 140 and enter the passage 115 in transference tube road 60 but not remove background gas, as previously discussed.This can realize by the pressure in the 3rd vacuum chamber 150 being adjusted between the pressure in atmospheric pressure and the passage 115.By passageway 140 admission passages 115 are passed through in the air-flow guiding, can create the more turbulent-flow conditions that can destroy the sample drop therein.More turbulent-flow conditions can thereby make the sample drop be divided into littler drop.The division of this drop is the external force division, but not divides the COULOMB EXPLOSION type division of drop equally.In the embodiment of Fig. 9 a, also show and enter the additional pump ports 56 of choosing wantonly of expanding chamber 40.Pump ports 45 is towards location, the front portion of plate electrode 48, and pump ports 56 pumping plate electrodes 48 and to the zone between the inlet of the 3rd vacuum chamber 150.

In the application of external force and enclosed pasture blast division, the removal of gas and interpolation can be used in a transference tube.For example, as shown in Fig. 9 b, the 3rd vacuum chamber 150 is shortened and only seals the zone of second vacuum chamber 50.By this mode, gas can be via the inlet 150 or 156 any parts that are added to second vacuum chamber 50 that enter the mouth.Thereby, can realize that a series of external force that replace and enclosed pasture blast divide the drop of sample.

The wall of the differential pumping device 130 in each embodiment of Fig. 1 and 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d can form from the one or more material that comprises metal melt, metal sponge, permeable pottery and permeable polymer.Passageway 140 can be limited by hole in the material or void space.Hole in the material of sidewall or space can be little and can form usually continuous porous member and the aperture that not have to disperse.Alternatively, the discrete aperture in the sidewall that is formed at differential pumping device 130 or the form of perforation can be adopted in the passageway.The passageway can dispose by the one or more opening that passes through that has in circle, straight line, elongated, the even and non-homogeneous structure.

As further details, Fig. 9 c illustrates the device that improves the ion flow in the critical entrance area.Expansion area 90 in the hole 30 provides a kind of jet of simple form to separate, and it preferentially transmits the paraxial heavier particle that connects, and is diffused on every side and is not accepted by follow-up aperture than lepton, and accelerator card plays the effect of collection of ions.Fig. 9 d illustrates wherein that nozzle plate 48 overturns on direction, and they itself create the breathing space, is the embodiment of extremely thin access panel subsequently.Sufficient pressure drop has been arranged, and heavy (that is, heavier than carrier gas) charged particle will easily enter conduit region, and a large amount of carrier bundle and light (solvent) ion are by skim.

A plurality of pump arrangements shown in Fig. 9 a, c and the d (and they also can be applicable to the embodiment of Fig. 9 b) can help to reduce interface cost, because the early stage minimizing of gas load reduces the pumping requirement to next stage.Especially, the top stage 45 reduces the gas load in the stage of back above 2, even when it only is air blast.

Figure 10 illustrate the simulation of using SIMION (RTM) software ion trajectory (r, z).The ID of the passage that is limited by DC electrode 120 is 0.75mm, and long DC electrode section 210 is 0.36mm, and noncontinuous electrode section 205 is 0.12mm, and between the gap be 0.03mm.Air velocity is 200m/S, and the voltage that is applied to this group section be+/-100V.Ion is from moving left the right side.The ion of inboard that this simulation is presented at 1/3 place of the channel diameter that is limited by DC electrode is limited and focuses on along passage.The maximum radial coordinate of vibration ion is reduced to the 0.07mm of outlet from the 0.16mm of beginning along the length of about 20mm.In Figure 10, observe, not the radius of passage 1/3 in ion be depleted because they do not move to such an extent that enough overcome opposite direct DC electric field near conduit wall soon.This simulation confirms that this ion limit system depends on pressure and the air velocity in the inboard of pipeline 60.This effect at atmospheric pressure and corresponding to the speed (about 60m/s) of this pressure under very weak (focusing on 0.126mm) from 0.174mm.Yet, when adopting aforesaid DC electrode device 120, at lower pressure (less than several times in atmospheric pressure), and～during the air velocity of 200m/s, see the much bigger improvement in the ion restriction.This is because of being limited for the maximum airflow that enters MS180 under about 1mbar situation at pressure.

Thereby, though there are some improvement in restriction to ion in zone 2 when only adopting DC electrode device 120, and dividually, though improvement is arranged when using differential pumping device 130 under not to the situation of the radially static of DC electrode device restriction, the two adopted together in a preferred embodiment so that when creating optimum pressure state (being lower than about 300-600mbar) radially static limit ion.

To notice from above introductory discussion that the various piece of ion transfer arrangement seeks to keep air velocity below horizontal so that avoid shock wave in supersonic speed from the withdrawing from of pipeline 60 time.A result is not so needing skimming tool to the inlet of MS180, that is, the outlet aperture 70 from regional 2 can be simple aperture.Observe, the existence of the skimming tool on the outlet aperture can cause reducing of ionic current, in fact has further desirable result (not needing skimming tool) so leave the supersonic velocity of the gas of pipeline 60.

Though the great majority of the above embodiment preferably adopt the transference tube road (that is, pipe) of circular cross section, the invention is not restricted to pipe.For example ellipse or rectangle or even other cross section of plane (that is, having the rectangle or the ellipse of very high aspect ratio) can become and be more preferably, especially when adopting macroion electric current or a plurality of nozzle (nozzle array).The increase that the air-flow of following enlarges markedly by the number of stages of differential pumping compensates.This can for example realize by the interstage of using those pumps that adopted.

Ion migrating channels described in this application causes their multipath conversion own under the situation of aforesaid pumping adjustment be array.This device can be best for multiple capillary or many sprayers ion source.

Claims (26)

1. ion transfer arrangement that is used between relatively high pressure zone and relatively low pressure zone, transmitting ion, it comprises:

The transference tube road, it has towards the inlet opening of relatively high pressure chamber, towards the exit opening of relatively low pressure chamber and at least one sidewall that centers on the ion migrating channels, and described sidewall is along the extension of central axis between the described arrival end and the described port of export; And

A plurality of apertures, described aperture along vertical formation of described sidewall so that make from the gas in the described ion migrating channels and flow to lower pressure region in the outside of the sidewall of described pipeline.

2. ion transfer arrangement as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises heater, described heater be used for heat conduction, convection current and/or to be radiated the pipeline of described ion migrating channels adjacent.

3. ion transfer arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that, also comprises the shell that seals described pipeline at least in part.

4. ion transfer arrangement as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, described shell is airtight and the described pipeline of complete closed.

5. ion transfer arrangement as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, also comprises pump arrangement, and that described pump arrangement is used for finding time is that described shell so that create uses, the gas in the described ion migrating channels enters relatively low pressure zone wherein.

6. the described ion transfer arrangement of arbitrary as described above claim, it is characterized in that, described sidewall is by comprising that at least one the material in metal melt, metal sponge, permeable pottery and the permeable polymer forms, and the aperture in the wherein said sidewall is limited by hole in the described material or clearance space.

7. the described ion transfer arrangement of arbitrary as described above claim is characterized in that, also comprises:

Electrode assemblie, described electrode assemblie have first group of electrode along first width D 1 of the longitudinal direction in described transference tube road, and (〉=D1) second group of electrode alternately with second width D 2 that has along described longitudinal direction for described first group of electrode; And

The direct voltage generator, it is used for providing big or small V to described first group of electrode ₁Provide big or small V with the direct voltage of first polarity and to described second group of electrode ₂(| V ₂|≤| V ₁|) and with respect to the average voltage on the longitudinal direction distribute second, the direct voltage of opposite polarity;

Wherein, described electrode assemblie is formed in the sidewall in described transference tube road at least in part and limits described ion migrating channels.

8. ion transfer arrangement as claimed in claim 7, it is characterized in that D2＞D1 and | V ₂|＜| V ₁|.

9. as claim 7 or the described ion transfer arrangement of claim 8, it is characterized in that each electrode in described more than first electrode separates by the follow-up and previous electrode of gap or insulating barrier and described more than second electrode.

10. as claim 7, claim 8 or the described ion transfer arrangement of claim 9, it is characterized in that, also comprise the device that is used for RF voltage is applied to described more than first and second electrodes.

11. the described ion transfer arrangement of arbitrary as described above claim, it is characterized in that, also be included in the air force and/or the electron lens of cycle electrode assemblie upstream, it is used for and will focuses on from the longitudinal axis of the ionogenic ion of atmospheric pressure towards described ion migrating channels.

12. ion transfer arrangement as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described lens have crooked envelope.

13. as claim 11 or 12 described ion transfer arrangements, it is characterized in that, described ion funnel comprises a plurality of discrete lens ring electrodes, and wherein the lens electrode of its most approaching described cycle electrode assemblie has than away from the little aperture of the lens electrode of described cycle electrode assemblie.

14. ion transfer arrangement as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, the radial dimension in the aperture in the lens electrode of the most approaching described cycle electrode assemblie is less than the radial dimension of the described ion migrating channels that is limited by described cycle electrode assemblie.

15., it is characterized in that described air force and/or electron lens are positioned at the vacuum chamber that first vacuum chamber and described cycle electrode assemblie are positioned at second, separate as each described ion transfer arrangement in the claim 11 to 14.

16. a method of transmitting ion first, between the relatively high pressure zone and second, relatively low pressure zone may further comprise the steps:

Permission enters the inlet opening that has or limit the transference tube road of ion migrating channels from the ion in described relatively high pressure zone and the mixture of gas;

The part of the gas in the described ion migrating channels is removed in inlet opening by being arranged in described transference tube road and a plurality of passageways of the duct wall in the middle of the exit opening; And

Make described ion and residual gas withdraw from described transference tube road by exit opening towards described relatively low pressure zone.

17. method as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, also comprises the described ion migrating channels of heating so that promote the evaporation of the residual liquid solvent in described ion migrating channels.

18. as claim 16 or the described method of claim 17, it is characterized in that, also comprise described transference tube road is positioned in the easy evacuated chamber at least in part.

19. method as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described transference tube road is positioned at easy evacuated chamber fully, and described method comprises that also the easy evacuated chamber that described pipeline is positioned at wherein is evacuated to pressure below atmospheric pressure.

20. method as claimed in claim 19, it is characterized in that, described pipeline is positioned at step that wherein easy evacuated chamber is evacuated to pressure below atmospheric pressure comprises the pressure that described chamber is evacuated to the pressure that the indoor ion of the ion migration that is not less than described pipeline and gas stops VISCOUS FLOW.

21. method as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that, the step that described pipeline is evacuated to pressure below atmospheric pressure at wherein easy evacuated chamber comprises described chamber is evacuated to pressure between about 600mbar and 1mbar.

22. as each described method in the claim 16 to 21, it is characterized in that, also comprise and use air force and/or electron lens to arrive described transference tube road from the ion focusing in described relatively high pressure zone.

23. as each described method in the claim 19,20 or 21, it is characterized in that, also comprise easy evacuated chamber with backfill gas backfill at least a portion.

24. as each described method in the claim 18 to 23, it is characterized in that, also comprise described transference tube road is enclosed in the hermetically sealed, and the described hermetically sealed of pumping is so that reduce wherein pressure, to draw the gas in the described ion migrating channels by described passageway and it is entered in the described hermetically sealed.

25. as each described method in the claim 16 to 24, it is characterized in that, also comprise:

Provide electrode assemblie in described pipe side wall inboard, described electrode assemblie limit described ion migrating channels and its have along first group of electrode of first width D 1 longitudinally in described transference tube road and along described vertically and second width D 2 that replaces with described first group of electrode (〉=D1) second group of electrode; And

Provide big or small V to described first group of electrode ₁With the direct voltage of first polarity, and provide big or small V to described second group of electrode ₂(| V ₂|≤| V ₁|) and with respect to described cycle electrode assemblie vertically on average voltage distribute second, the direct voltage of opposite polarity.

26. method as claimed in claim 25 is characterized in that, also comprises RF voltage is applied to described first and second groups of electrodes.

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